Song meaning of These Times Have Got Me Drinking/Tripping Up the Stairs by Flogging Molly

The lyrics of "These Times Have Got Me Drinking/Tripping Up the Stairs" by Flogging Molly convey a sense of disillusionment and escapism. The chorus portrays a feeling of being overwhelmed by the difficult times the singer is experiencing, leading them to turn to drinking and stumbling up the stairs as a means of escape. The image of an empty room haunted by a ghost speaks to the emptiness and loneliness felt in these times.

The verses highlight the isolation and self-destructive behavior that the singer is engaging in. The sea of faceless bottles and the stench of the afternoon suggest a heavy reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism. The morning starting with sunsets and the darkness filling their eyes indicate a perpetual cycle of despair, with no hope of finding solace or companionship.

In the bridge, the singer seeks solace in a familiar friend, possibly another person struggling through similar circumstances. They reminisce about the "roads less traveled" and the best times they ever had, suggesting an attempt to find comfort in shared past experiences.

The later verses reveal a sense of resignation and a longing for an end to these difficult times. The line "Try forget until it's over when the last call splits your ear" implies that the singer tries to forget their troubles until they are forced to confront them again.

The repetitive chorus emphasizes the universality of these troubled times, highlighting that many people are resorting to drinking and stumbling through life to cope with their problems. The outro's exclamation to "mind yourself" serves as a reminder to take care amidst these challenging times.

Overall, the lyrics of "These Times Have Got Me Drinking/Tripping Up the Stairs" convey a message of struggling with difficulty, loneliness, and the temporary relief found in escapism, while still acknowledging the need to persevere and care for oneself.